Written by Ivy Dong |
When it comes to Suzhou, most tourists will think about classic gardens and silk, but it is also a culinary capital. In essence, Suzhou is also a worthwhile destination if you are planning a food tour in China.
Suzhou foodĀ is the quintessence of Jiangnan cuisine.Ā It does not seek the spicy and stimulating flavors, but rather follows the philosophy of āeating according to the seasonsā. So most Suzhou foodĀ is famous for its freshness and original flavor, such as the Taihu Lake “Three Whites”. Donāt worry if you enjoy strong, heave flavors. There are also some famous cuisines featured by their thick sauces and generous use of oil, such as Braised Pork Belly.
From elegant banquets to street snacks, you will feel a slow but elegant lifestyle during a Suzhou tour. Now, follow us to savor the taste of famous cuisines in this Jiangnan city.
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- The Sweet, Seasonal Heart of Jiangnan Cuisine
- 10 Must-Try Famous Suzhou Dishes: The Classics That Define a Cuisine
- The Soul of Suzhou: Noodles, Street Food & Seasonal Snacks
- Suzhou Halal Food & Western Food Options
- Suzhou Food vs. Shanghai Food: A Quick Comparison
- Practical Guide: Where and How to Eat in Suzhou
- Plan Your Suzhou Food Tour with China Xian Tour
The Sweet, Seasonal Heart of Jiangnan Cuisine
Jiangnan cuisine is featured by being slightly sweet, light, delicateĀ and seasonal. Suzhou foodĀ uses sugar and vinegar ingeniously, so it tastes a little bit sweet and sour. Spicy seasonings and ingredients are rarely used, and are often added only as an embellishment. A main purpose of adding sugar is to highlight the original fresh flavor of the food material.
Besides, it emphasizes the usage of seasonal materials, such as fish for spring, shrimp for summer, crab for autumn and mutton for winter.
The Suzhou food also offers a visual feastĀ to each eater. The chefs are like artists. Professional Suzhou cuisine chefs must have extremely good knife skills, they can even cut tofu into thin shreds and fish into a petal shape. And each dish is presented like an artwork by them. All these owe toĀ the influence of Jiangnan Water TownĀ – its abundance of fresh food materials, slow-paced life and garden art.
10 Must-Try Famous Suzhou Dishes: The Classics That Define a Cuisine
1. Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish (ę¾é¼ ę”é±¼) – The Crowning Jewel
- Key ingredients:fresh mandarin fish, pine nuts, green beans, corn kernels, and a specially made sweet and sour sauce
- Flavor: sweet and sour
- Why It’s a Must: it is a feast for both eyes and stomach and has been served as a dish of state banquet several times
Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish is one of the most famous foods in SuzhouĀ and it is a must-try dish for each tourist during their Suzhou tour.Ā The chef will chop the entire fish into numerous slices. After being fried, the fish meat will magically unfold, just like a squirrelās tail. It is golden and tastes crispy outside.
When serving the dish, the hot, specially made sweet and sour sauce will be poured on the fish, making a “squeak, squeak” sound, which is like a little squirrel is chirping. The pine nuts, green beans and corn kernels enhance the flavor and taste.Ā Though not spicy at all, its sweet and sour tastes can gently stimulate your appetite.Ā The most important tip is to eat when it is hot.
2. Taihu Lake “Three Whites” (å¤Ŗę¹äøē½) – A Taste of the Lake
- Key ingredients:white fish, silver fish and white shrimp
- Flavor:light and fresh
- Why It’s a Must:extreme freshness, used to be theĀ tribute to the royal court
The Three Whites from Taihu Lake refer to the white fish, silver fish and white shrimp. White fish has abundant and tender meat. Silver fish is characterized by no bones. White shrimp has a thin shell and its meat remains white even after being cooked. The main cooking methods are steaming and scalding and only simple seasonings are used. Its main purpose is to highlight the natural freshness of the food materials. Since these materials are very easy to die after leaving the water, it is recommended to taste in the restaurants by the water.
3. Biluochun Tea Shrimps (ē¢§čŗč¾ä») – An Aromatic Delicacy
- Key ingredients:Taihu River shrimp, Dongting Biluochun tea
- Flavor:fresh and sweet shrimp with refreshing tea
- Why It’s a Must:the rare dish with tea as the ingredient.
This cuisine is like an ink painting in Jiangnan Region. The shrimps are as white as jade and decorated with emerald green tea leaves, presenting a delicate color. The fresh river shrimps have a sweet taste naturally. After cooked, it is tender and chewy.
What makes it different? The Biluochun Tea, one of the top 10 famous teas in China. The chef uses the fragrant tea liquor of Biluochun rather than the cooking wine to deodorize, meanwhile, the aroma of the tea seeps into the shrimp, so it also enhances the aroma. As a rarely seen dish with tea as the ingredient, it has been an unmissableĀ Suzhou foodĀ for most travelers.
4.Ā Braised Pork Belly Suzhou Style (čå¼ēŗ¢ē§č)
- Key ingredients: pork belly with skin, rock candy and yellow rice wine
- Flavor: Sweet with a hint of saltiness
- Why It’s a Must: a representative dish with rich flavor, best pairing for rice
Braised Pork Belly Suzhou StyleĀ maintains the sweet taste of traditionalĀ Suzhou food,Ā but has a richer flavor than other dishes. Generally, this dish tastes sweet with a hint of saltiness and richness, yet it is not greasy.Ā This is mainly because of the exquisite use of rock candy. After the candy is simmered over low heat together with the salty soy sauce, a rich and complex flavor is formed, which effectively neutralizes theĀ greasiness of fat meat. To ensure the meat can melt in your mouth but not be broken, the meat is usually simmered over low heat for one or two hours. Want to enjoy as a local? Order a bowl of hot white rice and pour the thick gravy over it. The taste will be definitely unforgettable.
5.Ā Cherry-shaped PorkĀ (ęرę”č)
- Key ingredients:pork belly or pork rib, red yeast rice, rock candy and yellow rice wine
- Flavor:fragrant, sweet and sour
- Why It’s a Must:perfectly shows the ultimate pursuit of shape, color, cooking time and taste balance in Suzhou cuisine
From its name, you may already know that the appearance of this dish is like cherries. The pork is cut into small pieces and cooked with red yeast rice. The finished dish is in bright red color and round shape, just like a plate of mature cherries. Usually, some green vegetables will be placed at the bottom or around. On the one hand, it enriches the colors; on the other hand, it relieves the greasiness of meat. Its eating method is also diverse, try to pair it with rice to enjoy the delicious meat juice or order a cup of green tea to cleanse the palate.
6.Ā Braised Pork Rice (å¤čé„)
- Key ingredients: Pork belly, rice, marinated eggs, mushrooms, onions
- Flavor: sweet and salty
- Why It’s a Must: high acceptance, suitable for first-time visitors
The essence of an authentic braised pork rice lies in its slowly braised pork and the rice coated with meat juice. The merchants often add a stewed egg and their self-made pickles, such as the pickled radish, to enrich the aroma and relieve greasiness. Its overall taste is gentle and balances the sweetness and saltiness perfectly. So most tourists can accept it when they try for the first time. To enjoy the best flavor, remember to mix the thick, salty and sweet sauce thoroughly with the rice to ensure all the rice is coated with the sauce. But if you want a more refreshing taste, pair it with a cup of black tea or winter melon tea.
7.Ā Crab Meat PasteĀ withĀ TofuĀ (č¹ē²č±č )
- Key ingredients: crab roe, soft tofu, ginger, scallions, cooking wine
- Flavor: fresh and salty
- Why It’s a Must:unique and mild flavor, can experience the delicacy of Suzhou food
When you taste this dish, you will find its flavor is characterized by āfreshnessā. Where is it from? It is sourced from the hairy crabs in the golden autumn season. So the best time to taste it is from the Mid-Autumn FestivalĀ to winter. The chef manually separates the crab roe and crab meat and makes it into crab meat paste. Then stew it together with the soft tofu. During the process, the rich and fresh flavor of the crab seeps into the tofu, endowing the gentle tofu with a rich taste.
8.Ā Water Shield and Bass SoupĀ (č¼čé²é±¼ę±¤)
- Key ingredients: Taihu water shield, sea bass, bamboo shoots/bamboo shoot shreds, ginger
- Flavor: fresh and smooth
- Why It’s a Must: enjoy the seasonal freshness in the Jiangnan Region
Clear and fresh are the main features of this dish. Usually, the soup is clear enough to see the bottom of the plate, and it tastes fresh and mellow, not greasy at all. The Taihu water shield contributes a lot to its flavor. It has transparent gelatin on the leaves, which makes it extremely smooth, tender and refreshing when eaten. But it is hard to pick up with chopsticks, so use a spoon directly. Meanwhile, the fish meat of sea bass is firm and elastic. The combination of both materials creates a mild but elegant taste. In local culture, this dish is also a synonym for homesickness.
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9.Ā Yangcheng Lake Hairy CrabĀ (é³ę¾ę¹å¤§éøč¹)
- Flavor: fresh,sweet and mellow
- Why It’s a Must:It is the King of Crabs
How to distinguish whether it is the real Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crab? Check the following four features: green back, white belly, golden claws and yellow hair. Because these crabs are living in the Yangcheng Lake, which has a hard lake bottom and lush aquatic plants. When they crawl, they are like exercising in a natural sports field. The most traditional ways to cook it are steaming or boiling to maintain its freshness and sweetness. Then pair it with a dipping sauce made of minced ginger, minced garlic, soy sauce and vinegar. The sauce enhances the freshness of crabs. Known as the King of crabs, tasting Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crab has been a top thing to do in Suzhou travel.
10.Ā Braised Minced EelĀ (åę²¹é³ē³)
- Key ingredients: Eel, lard, soy sauce, sugar, cooking wine, minced garlic, pepper
- Flavor: Salty with a hint of sweetness
- Why It’s a Must: enjoy the culinary art integrating both color and sound.
This is definitely a must-tryĀ food in Suzhou. Braised minced eel is not only a feast to your stomach, but also for your eyes and ears. After the eel is stir-fried, the chef will put the minced garlic, chopped scallions and pepper in the middle of the eel paste. Then it will be served on the table. The critical step is coming. The servant will pour a pot of hot oil over the dish before you, when the “sizzling” sound will be heard and the fragrance of the minced garlic, chopped scallions and pepper will strike your nose instantly. You will be amazed.
The Soul of Suzhou: Noodles, Street Food & Seasonal Snacks
Suzhou Noodles: A Breakfast and Beyond Ritual
A bowl of noodles is theĀ taste ritual for local people to start their new day. The types of Suzhou noodles are very diverse and the following are the classic choices. If you want to try aĀ Chinese breakfastĀ in Suzhou, choose from them.
- Big Meat Noodles (大čé¢):its soup base is made by simmering distillers’ grains and eel bones, giving it a unique wine aroma. A large piece of braised meat is put on top.
- Three Shrimp Noodles(äøč¾é¢):Ā seasonal noodles in early summer, take the shrimp roe, shrimp brain and shrimp meat as the topping, very fresh.
- Crab ButterNoodles (č¹é»é¢): when autumn comes, the pure crab roe and crab cream are made into crab butter. Use it to mix the noodles, it presents a golden color and a strong crab aroma.
Fresh Meat Mooncake (é²čę鄼)
The fresh meat mooncake is a famous food in Suzhou, widely beloved by the locals. Just take a small bite, you will see layers of puff pastry. This is thanks to its unique process of repeatedly folding and rolling out the dough and shortcrust pastry. The pork fillings adopt the fat-to-lean ratio of 3:7. Then seasonings, like soy sauce, sugar, ginger, scallions, are added and stirred. In this way, it tastes salty with a hint of sweetness and the meat is firm and chewy. The most important tip to taste it is the timing, eat when it is freshly baked.
Fermented Rice Wine Cake (é é æ鄼)
The uniqueness of fermented rice wine cake lies in its process. The dough is fermented with sweet fermented-rice, so the pastry has a wine flavor. Its crust is slightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and the fillings offer an agreeable sweetness. The signature fillings include rose, Ā sweetened bean paste, mint and seasonal salty fillings. Also, it is better to eat when it remains hot.
Suzhou Soup Buns (čå·ę±¤å )
Different from the common Xiaolongbao, Suzhou Soup Buns are featured by their thin skin, clear and fresh soup, and salty and slightly sweet taste. Where is the soup from? It is not filled directly, but from the pork skin jelly inside the fillings. Follow us to eat as locals: carefully pick it up with chopsticks, make a small bite on the thin skin, slowly blow air and suck the soup inside. When the temperature is just right, enjoy the whole soup buns.
Osmanthus Cake (ę”č±ē³)
Usually, the masters consistently use the golden osmanthus or silver osmanthus, because these flowers haveĀ plump petals and a rich fragrance. The cake is made from glutinous rice flour and tastes resilient and soft after being steamed and cooled three times. Osmanthus petals are dotted on the top. When biting, theĀ rich fragrance of osmanthus and the gentle sweetness of the cake blend in your mouth. The locals prefer to pair it with green tea, just try it.
“Little Wonton” (å°é¦é„Ø)
The Little Wonton in Suzhou does not aim to fill your belly, it emphasizes savoring its delicate craftsmanship and freshness. The filling is extremely small, only the size of a fingernail. So its highlight is the texture of the soup and wonton wrappers. Its wrapper is as thin as gauze and melts in the mouth immediately. When boiling in the water, it swells up, like a swimming goldfish, dragging a long “tail”.
Suzhou Sugar PorridgeĀ (čå·ē³ē²„)
Sweet food lovers should not miss thisĀ Suzhou food. It has been listed as the cityās intangible cultural heritage. Its sweetness does not come from sugar, but from the complex sweet scent jointly brought by rice, red bean paste and osmanthus. It is mild but rich. It is also called āRed cloud covers the white snow. Why? Usually, after the white glutinous rice porridge is laid at the bottom, it is topped with the red bean paste and dotted with osmanthus.
Suzhou Halal Food & Western Food Options
Besides the famous local Suzhou food, the Halal food and Western food options are also very abundant in Suzhou. The Halal food includes Xinjiang cuisine, Middle-East cuisine and some halal snacks, etc. To find the restaurants, the area near Taipingfang Mosque is the preferred choice, where gathers many small restaurants operated by Muslim.
About Western foods, it ranges from high-end, special themed restaurants to chain restaurants. There are many high-end restaurants by Jinji Lake. In addition, in the large shopping malls, it is also easy to find the chain restaurants.
Suzhou Food vs. Shanghai Food: A Quick Comparison
Though both Suzhou FoodĀ and Shanghai food belong to Jiangnan cuisines, they have their own features.
Ā |
Suzhou Food |
Shanghai Food |
Core Flavor |
Light and slightly sweet, with a mild sweetness that enhances freshness. The taste is delicate and smooth. |
Rich and oily, balanced in salt and sweetness, mellow taste. vibrant and sugar-heavy color. |
Cooking Techniques |
Skilled in stewing, braising, slow-cooking, and baking, emphasize fire control |
Known for red-braising, simmering, and stir-frying; incorporates techniques from various regions |
Cultural Connotation |
āEat according to the season,ā emphasizing seasonal materials and the original flavors of food |
āInclusive of all things,ā show the inclusive and innovative spirit of Shanghai culture, blend tradition with modernity. |
Classic Cuisines |
Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish, Biluochun Tea Shrimp, Taihu Lake āThree Whitesā |
Shanghai Red-braised Pork, Nanxiang Xiaolongbao, Ā Pan-fried bun |
Practical Guide: Where and How to Eat in Suzhou
Food streets
- Shantang Street: this is a thousand-year-old ancient street full of lively market atmosphere. It gathers many time-honored snacks that the locals eat since they were children, such as the deep-fried dough sticks from Rongyanglou Restaurant and the Shumai from Madongpei Shaomai Restaurant. Besides, you can also find the authentic Suzhou cuisine here.
- Pingjiang Road:this artistic water town offers more creative snacks and popular stores, including osmanthus cake, fresh meat mooncake, etc. It is very suitable to discover and taste the snacks you like while strolling around leisurely.
- Guanqian Street: As the most prosperous commercial center in Suzhou, it provides both classic time-honored restaurants and integrated catering and shopping. For tourists who want to buy local specialties, it is also the most convenient place.
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Tips
- Time-honored brands: Song Helou Restaurant, Deyuelou Restaurant, Lugaojian Sauced Meat Shop, Huangtianyuan Pastry, etc.
- Michelin-starred restaurants: Dingshan Jiangyan Restaurant, Pingjiangsong Restaurant, etc.
- Suzhou food culture emphasizes āeating quietlyā, so do not speak loudly when you are in restaurants.
- When ordering noodles in the restaurant, you may need to make choices: red soup (soy sauce soup) or white soup (bone broth), hard noodles or soft noodles, and various toppings.
- Many century-old noodle shops and snack bars will close even before 14:00, so arrange them in lunch time if you plan to taste.
- Since the locals emphasize seasonal materials, when ordering food, you can pay attention to the seasonal recommendations on the menu to taste the most seasonal flavors.
- The Suzhou cuisine is usually sweet, try to order a pot of Biluochun tea to relieve the greasiness.
Plan Your Suzhou Food Tour with China Xian Tour
With so many local dishes and snacks for you to explore in Suzhou, how to arrange a Suzhou foodĀ tour may be your question. China Xian TourĀ is glad to recommend our popular food tour routes for you. If you have your own thoughts, we are also good at customizing a trip based on touristsāĀ needs. No matter the food you want to taste or the attractions you plan to visit, we will try our best to include them in the itinerary. We will also help you book the hotels and tickets. So just contact us now to start your Suzhou tour.
